New Stanley power tools

The big news in Toolsville: hand-tool heavy-hitter Stanley now has a power-tool line. Really, this development shouldn’t be much of a surprise after we saw DeWalt, Stanley’s sibling company, come out with hand tools last year. These new tools will be available in early May at Rona.

So, where do the Stanley tools fit in the DeWalt/Porter-Cable/Black & Decker family? Big brother like DeWalt? Or I-barely-have-my-training-wheels-off little brother like B & D? Well, let’s look at some numbers available.

Stanley 12-volt Max Li-ion drill/driver (FMC010LB)

Porter-Cable 12-volt Max Li-ion drill/driver (PCL120DDC-2)

Speed

0-315 / 0-1,200 rpm

0-315 / 0-1,200 rpm

Torque

220 in.-lb.

220 in.-lb.

Chuck size

3/8″

3/8″

Price

$120

$120

What the numbers say

The strong family resemblance seems to indicate that the Stanley is lick-and-stick of the Porter-Cable.

Stanley 20-volt Max Li-ion impact driver (FMC640LB)

DeWalt 20-volt Max Li-ion impact driver (DCF885C2)

Speed

0-2,900 rpm

0-2,800 rpm

Torque

1,600 in.-lb.

1,400 in.-lb.

Chuck size

1/4″

1/4″

Price

$200

$250

What the numbers say

It looks like the Stanley is the bigger machine in the speed and the torque departments. However, its battery also looks a bit beefier, in the “man, this is heavy” way.

Stanley 20-volt Max Li-ion hammer drill (FMC620LB)

DeWalt 20-volt Max Li-ion hammer drill (DCD785C2)

Speed

0-350 / 0-1,500 rpm

0-600 / 0-2,000 rpm

Blows Per Minute

25,500

34,000

Chuck size

1/2″

1/2″

Price

$200

$260

What the numbers say

Big brother DeWalt could metaphorically put his arm out and hold little Stanley by the head as he swings wildly, not landing a hit.

So, this quick little look seems to put Stanley somewhere between Porter-Cable and DeWalt. What do you think? Is Stanley a good addition to the family?